(CNN) - The White House is "energized" over John McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the No.2 spot on the Republican presidential ticket, White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters Friday.

Perino also said President Bush phoned Palin earlier Friday morning to congratulate the Alaska Republican for being selected for the position.

President Bush believes the McCain-Palin ticket is "very strong," and he looks forward to a "great victory in November," Perino also said.

soundoff(143 Responses)

This goes to show alot, Bush would get energized over a dancing monkey...

August 29, 2008 03:13 pm at 3:13 pm |

Jim

I just laughed so hard! They're energized because oil company's probaby just filled their pockets with cash to buy alaska.

August 29, 2008 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

Joe Idaho

maybe its just me but wouldnt the Govoner of Florida, or someone from one of the Mid-Western States be a better choice? what about Romney.... Well, the truth is; none of them would run with McCain! The Whitehouse is very happy, McCain will lose and Jeb Bush will start campagning in 2011...

August 29, 2008 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

Ken

I am one of the Hillary Clinton supporters that would rather vote for McCain/Palin than Obama.Biden.

Obama made his biggest mistake by choosing Biden instead of Hillary Clinton as his VP. That is going to be Obama's downfall, and he caused it himself.

Palin may not be a Hillary Clinton, but she is a Governor and she is truly not like Cheney, so for those that think that McCain is like Bush, this proves that McCain is his own master and I believe that what Obama did to Hillary Clinton, by not choosing her for his VP, is going to be his downfall.

I, among other Hillary Clinton supporters, will be voting for McCain/Palin!

August 29, 2008 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

LS

McCain's pick of this woman proves he doesn't have the stable mentality or decision making capability whatsoever.

We are a country at WARS and this woman labeled as the Commander In Chief after you kick-the-bucket, is an utter joke. I understand she's into oil, what was that about country first – McCain? MCCAIN – – YOU COULD NEVER AND WILL NEVER PROTRAY AN AMERICAN LEADER.

McCain REALLY doesn't get it, this election is not about gender, it's about THE ISSUES this country is facing.

NO Way, NO How, NO McCain.

Obama/Biden – all the way to Washington !!

August 29, 2008 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

Dem for unity

A failed Administration offering congrats. wow. gee thats just great.

August 29, 2008 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

tennisguypitt

Okay... ANOTHER REASON TO NOT VOTE FOR MCBUSH!

August 29, 2008 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |

James

Bush knows how to use a phone??!!

August 29, 2008 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |

ChicagoJosh

When Obama was running for Senate, after scandal knocked the Republican contender out of the debate, the state GOP nominated Alan Keys to take his place. Keys had no support, and wasn't even from Illinois, but he was black and a good speaker. This last ditch move blew up in the GOP's face when Obama won by 70 percent.

Now, as a last ditch move, McCain thinks all you need to get Hillary voters is to get another woman.

I don't know if its more of an insult to his supports who thought he made good judgements, or more of an insult to all women because he can't tell the difference between Palin and Hillary.

Just for entertainment sakes, I wish they'd let the Palin and Hillary debate. When Biden tears into Palin, they'll just call him sexist, and Palin will shed tears for sympathy votes.

August 29, 2008 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |

Michael

Obama/Biden = worst ticket in history.

McCain/Palin = the stuff that makes America great!

America IS Great! McCain/Palin 08!

August 29, 2008 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |

NorCal DM

For all you ignorant PUMAS, if you want Palin, then kiss your rights good bye. To all you women who are even remotely considering Palin, kiss your rights goodbye. She is a strong pro lifer who will make sure that McSame will choose equally conservative judges on the supreme court bench such as Scalia and the like. Kiss Roe V. Wade good bye. Consider that Gitmo will be a staple of American Culture for all minority detainees. Consider that Caplital Punshiment will be another American Cultural icon. She is a strong believer in capital punishment and torture. She wants to drill in ANWR, a wildlife refuge. she has less experience and poor judgement, something republicans were harping on when it came to Obama. Do not vote for the McCain Palin ticket, it will be a big mistake. Consider this, Hillary will run again after a successful two terms by Obama. She will be secretary of state in an Obama Administration. She will be in the white house.

August 29, 2008 03:16 pm at 3:16 pm |

LS

McCain's pick of this woman proves he doesn't have the stable mentality or decision making capability whatsoever.

We are a country at WARS and this woman labeled as the Commander In Chief after you kick-the-bucket, is an utter joke. I understand she's into oil, what was that about country first – McCain? MCCAIN – – YOU COULD NEVER AND WILL NEVER PROTRAY AN AMERICAN LEADER.

McCain REALLY doesn't get it, this election is not about gender, it's about THE ISSUES this country is facing.

NO Way, NO How, NO McCain, NO BUSH!

Obama/Biden – all the way to Washington !!

August 29, 2008 03:16 pm at 3:16 pm |

Tony

It NEVER fails to amazes me just how apathetic, ignorant, gullible, lazy and whiny Americans are.

So easily fooled and extremely easily led.

McCain picked Palin for one reason only. To try to get the Democrats who are still ticked off about Hillary not being the nominee, and the Independent women voters.

The vast majority of people in this country believe whatever they are told, go with the flavor of the day, follow the leader simply because it is easier than getting off the sofa, from in front of reality t.v. and finding out the facts.

Many will vote for McCain because 1) he picked a woman and 2) because some people just can't get over the fact that it was Obama, not Hillary. Simple as that!

Nevermind the FACT that Palin is only 44 (McCain has been slamming Obama from day one about being too young and INEXPERIENCED).

Such a hypocrite. Palin is not only younger and more inexperienced, but the mother of four children still at home, the youngest with Down Syndrome, who should they win, will be an absent parent much of the time. THAT IS A FACT! Unless Palin plans to bring them to her office everyday they will be raised by their father and nannies.

So much for McCain's FAMILY VALUES. So much for McCain's credibility on EXPERIENCE! Now EXPERIENCE can be completely taken off the table. It is NO LONGER an issue.

I fully intend to savor Biden's crushing her in the debates and Obama and the DEMS. throwiong his words right back at him showing anyone with any sense at all just how hypocritical this man is. Palin is so excited, as anyone would be, at being chosen that she can't even see she is a woman ebing used by the Republicans for political gain.

ASK YOURSELVES ONE QUESTION BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR VOTE. "If elected, should something happen to McCain while in office, do I really want a 44 year old with no real experience, outside of her home state of Alaska, running the country?"

Oh...
Well he is the head of the Party so I guess he has earned the right to weigh in..

Not that it matters to anyone else.

August 29, 2008 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |

Sandy

I get it but it won't work. All this experience talk is void. WHO IS SHE? So what if she has an 80% approval in Alaska, WHO IS SHE? THIS WAS A JACK MOVE. All we know is that she has 4 children and been in office for 2 years. You can't say anything obout Obama without saying it about Palin. Bush go sit down! What do you know anyway?

August 29, 2008 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |

Tony

Bush thinks it's a good idea! That should speak volumes to all Americans that they are the WRONG CHOICE!

August 29, 2008 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |

Ed, FL

Complex!!! Either Mccain is a genius or extremely stupid. I, as a polical junky, can barely recognize this woman face. I can't beleive a 73 year old guy runnig to be the comander in chief of the free world would pick a V.P far less experienced than his opponent against whom he is making the case is inexperienced. If he thinks with this woman he can pick up some Clinton supporter he is mistaken. I , as die hard Obama supporter since the beginning, can tell that there is no comparison between this woman and Hillary. This woman is too well underqualified.
CNN and all the national media do your job. Your job is too informed the public. This woman needs to be fully vetted.

August 29, 2008 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |

Sherry, Atlanta

PLAY GAMES WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. . .BUT DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH YOURSELF!

oh and by the way, being a political figure of a small town is not much responsibility; being a governor of Alaska for less than 2 years is not something to brag about. (I've been to Alaska folks, there is NOTHING THERE)

lastly, the lady is PRO-LIFE. Just because she is a woman does not mean that THIS woman will vote for her. She does not share Hillary's viewpoints and she doesn't have the experience that Hillary does. Out of all the qualified women, McCain picked the LEAST qualified..that spells out PUPPET to me.

August 29, 2008 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |

Rudy NYC

The "inexperience issue" is now officially a wash. Dead in the water. McCain just dropped his hole card-an ace-and got dealt a deuce, a wild card.

August 29, 2008 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |

obamaton

the Democrats maintain status quo in the GOB club.

The GOP however, has kicked to door open to one tough, smart lady!

McCain-Palin 2008

August 29, 2008 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |

anonymouys

palin is nnot a good pick

August 29, 2008 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |

McCain has questionable judgement.

What a stupid choice. landslide victory for the strong Obama/Biden ticket 08.
We are fired up and ready to vote.